She was a movie sex symbol, but more importantly, she was a serious dramatic actress!
To me, Carroll Baker delivered many compelling performances in her prolific movie career. In the 1950s and into the 1960s, when talking about blondes and sex symbols in the movies, there was not only Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, Mamie Van Doren, Joey Heatherton ... but there was also Carroll Baker!
What you may not know about this talented and beautiful actress is that she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1725 Vine Street.
She has also written three books: Baby Doll, An Autobiography, published in 1983, and A Roman Tale and To Africa, With Love, both published in 1985.
Carroll Baker at a glance
Carroll Baker (born May 28, 1931) is a Golden Globe Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated American actress who has enjoyed popularity as both a serious dramatic actress and, particularly in the 1960s, a movie sex symbol. Despite being cast in a wide range of roles during her heyday, Baker's beautiful features, blonde hair, and distinctive drawl made her particularly memorable in roles as a brash, flamboyant woman.
Quick, what do you think of Carroll Baker?
Did you know?
Baker's flashy portrayal of a Jean Harlow-type movie star in the 1964 hit The Carpetbaggers brought her a second wave of notoriety and marked the beginning of a tumultuous relationship with the film's producer, Joseph E. Levine.Based on her Carpetbaggers performance, Levine began to position Baker to be a movies sex symbol, casting her in the title roles of two 1965 potboilers, Sylvia and Harlow.
Carroll Baker in her memorable role in Baby Doll
Baby Doll is a 1956 film which tells the story of the childlike bride of a Mississippi cotton gin owner, who becomes the pawn in a battle between her husband and his enemy. It stars Karl Malden, Carroll Baker, Eli Wallach and Mildred Dunnock.Baby Doll (1956) - Cast and Credits, Yahoo! Movies. This was Wallach's feature film debut.
The screenplay was written by Tennessee Williams and was based on his one act play 27 Wagons Full of Cotton. It was directed by Elia Kazan.
Baby Doll won the Golden Globe award for Best Director (Elia Kazan). It was also nominated for four other Golden Globe awards, four Academy awards and one British Academy award.Baby Doll (1956) Awards, The New York Times.
While the costume design was not nominated, the film is credited with both the name and originating the popularity of the babydoll nightgown, which derives from the costume worn by Baker's character.
The Catholic Legion of Decency succeeded in having the film withdrawn from release in most U.S. theaters because of their objections over its sexual themes. The movie was banned in many countries like Sweden, due to its allegedly exaggerated sexual content. The film was also condemned by Time, which called it the "dirtiest American-made motion picture that had ever been legally exhibited"."New Picture", Time, December 24, 1956. Accessed 29 June 2008. Ironically, Time is now a sister company to Warner Bros., under the Time Warner umbrella.
Carroll Baker Books
Baby Doll: An Autobiography
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A Roman Tale
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TO AFRICA WITH LOVE A TRUE ROMANTIC ADVENTURE ( Inscribed )
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Biography - Baker, Carroll (1931-): An article from: Contemporary Authors
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TIBET: REFLECTIONS FROM THE WHEEL OF LIFE
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Joey Heatherton?
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Jean Harlow?
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Why this lens? Well, I've written other lenses on blonde "sex symbols" such as Jayne Mansfield, Mamie Van Doren, Joey Heatherton, and Carroll Baker [who played in the Harlow movie about her life]. But, you can't talk about the b...
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Mamie Van Doren?
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Something about Mamie Van Doren that I didn't know, is that she was often referred to as the poor man's Lana Turner! I'm not sure where that came from. This platinum-blond bombshell was of the era of Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Man...
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Jayne Mansfield?
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Definitely one of my all-time favorites, that was Jayne Mansfield! She was an American actress, Playboy centerfold and sex symbol. During the 1950s, she was a leading sex symbol. In February 1955, she was the Pla...
Show your love for this hot lady ...
Check out the BLONDES are sexy debate!
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BLONDES are SEXIER and have MORE Fun!
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BLONDES are SEXIER and have MORE fun! Speaking from personal experience and of course very deep humility, I offer up the premise that blondes are indeed sexier and definitely have more fun! Only my hairdresser knows for sure whether all those platin...
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Love her? Never heard of her? Share your stories, sightings, thoughts, rants, raves, whatever!
Carroll and her boy friend in High School use to double date with myself and my girl. I had a car and Carroll and Joe would go with us to Greensburg High School Dances, Drive in Movies, and other local places.
joe
Posted July 05, 2008
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